We’re glad you’re here!
- If you are attending via Facebook Live, please fill out the contact card at the end of today's bulletin to request a pastoral visit, join our mailing list, or update your contact information.
- If you are attending in person, we invite you to sign in when the ushers pass around the clipboards, and to include your contact information so that we can send you a card (and Pastor can call you if you’d like).
We celebrate Holy Communion in worship each Sunday at 9:00 AM. Visitors are welcome for Communion—read the "Invitation to Holy Communion section to learn more.
We have weekly education programs for all ages after worship, including Sunday School (age 3+), Confirmation (7th & 8th grade), Youth Group (middle/high school), and Adult Forum.
Restrooms (all handicapped-accessible):
- Located down the hall from the church office (women’s first, then men’s).
Child and Family Needs—in Fireside Room (entry area):
- Children are welcome in worship! The small table has crayons and coloring books if your little ones need to keep their hands busy!
- Our Family Room (next to the TV) offers a baby changing table and space for nursing or other family needs during the service!
Hearing Assistance:
- You can your set hearing aid to “T” to use our T-coil hearing loop.
- Other hearing assistance devices are available as well—please ask an usher if you would like to use one.
God’s Mission for Trinity: Welcome. Nurture. Serve.
- In order to put Christ first, we WELCOME people into the church, inviting them to receive the love and grace of Jesus so they may know themselves as children of God.
- We NURTURE people in faith to support their learning and growth as followers of Jesus.
- We send people out to SERVE people in emotional, spiritual, and physical need in the congregation, the community, and the world.
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
- Click/tap here for this week's announcements!
- NEW for Kids: Learn about the Bible with interactive games, word searches, and puzzles you can play on a phone through Bible Activities Zone! (Please be polite and turn off the sound if you are sitting in church, though!)
Please stand as you are able.
Gathering Hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” ELW 270
Confession and Forgiveness (John 20:23)
P: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, prepare the way of our Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts; in our lives; in our homes; and in the calling we share together to be the church, Christ’s body in the world. Open us to the guidance of your Holy Spirit, that we may increasingly love you and our neighbors in truth and action, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of the gracious God who is, who was, and who is to come. (A brief silence.) Almighty God,
C: we confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen.
P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake, God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Apostolic Greeting (2 Corinthians 13:13)
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Hymn of Praise “Angels We Have Heard on High” ELW 289
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray together.
C: Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God, and open our minds to the knowledge of your word,
that in all things we may think and act according to your good will and may live continually in the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Psalm: Psalm 148
L: Hallelujah! Praise the LORD | from the heavens;
praise God | in the heights.
C: Praise the LORD, | all you angels;
sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.
L: Praise the LORD, | sun and moon;
sing praise, all you | shining stars.
C: Praise the LORD, heav- | en of heavens,
and you waters a- | bove the heavens.
L: Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
who commanded, and they | were created,
C: who made them stand fast forev- | er and ever,
giving them a law that shall not | pass away.
L: Praise the LORD | from the earth,
you sea monsters | and all deeps;
C: fire and hail, | snow and fog,
tempestuous wind, do- | ing God's will;
L: mountains | and all hills,
fruit trees | and all cedars;
C: wild beasts | and all cattle,
creeping things and | flying birds;
L: sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,
princes and all rulers | of the world;
C: young | men and maidens,
old and | young together.
L: Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over | earth and heaven.
C: The LORD has raised up strength for the people
and praise for all | faithful servants,
the children of Israel, a people who are near the LORD. | Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
A: As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
A: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Gospel Acclamation (John 6:68)
GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40
P: This is the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2nd chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
P: When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Please sit.
Children's Time
Sermon
Please stand as you are able.
Hymn of the Day “Nunc Dimittis” LCA Service Book & Hymnal (1958)
Profession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed)
C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of the Church (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Each section of the prayers ends:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
When we get to this part, please join in reading the names in bold:
A: Today, we pray especially for...these friends on our Prayer List:
C: Dave, JoAnne, Lois, Cecil, Pat, Andrea & Rosalind, Tom, Ron, Carolyn, Eleanor, Florence, Karen, Ian, Kirk, Darrell, Dawn, Lois, Lynette, Carole, Paul, Brian, Easton, Angela, Brenda, Richard, Mallerie, Diane, Cindy, Lucas, Vickie, Adrienne, Rosemary, Dave, Alice, Tim, and Evan.
At the conclusion of the prayers:
P: Into your hands…through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Sharing of the Peace (John 14:27, 20:19-21; Matthew 5:23-24)
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Please sit.
Please sit.
Offering
Please stand as you are able.
Sung Offertory “In the Bleak Midwinter” (vs. 3)
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him - give my heart.
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray. Holy God, you came as a baby in a manger. Come again now in bread and wine, reminding us that you make ordinary things holy. Through these gifts, strengthen us to bless the lives of others, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
P: It is indeed right...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 118:26, Mark 11:9-10)
Eucharistic Prayer (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
P: Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord...
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread...
Again, after supper, he took the cup...
Pour out upon us...now and forever.
C: Amen.
Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4)
C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Please sit.
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
If you are visiting today, you are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
- Please come forward when the usher comes to your row. (If you are unable to come forward, please tell the usher, and the servers will come to you.)
- Pastor will give you the bread, and then you can choose to either drink wine from the first (silver) cup or to dip your bread in the second (blue) cup, which has both red wine and white grape juice.
- If you prefer not to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward with your arms folded across your chest to receive a blessing.
All are invited to sing the following hymns while Communion is distributed:
- ELW 275 "Angels, From the Realms of Glory"
- ELW 288 "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice"
- ELW 287 "Let All Together Praise Our God"
- ELW 298 "The Bells of Christmas"
Please stand as you are able.
Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
A: Let us pray. On this day, O God, you gave us Christ the Son to save us. As you sent the one foretold, send us now with good news for all people. Let the gladness of this feast have no end as we share with others the joy that fills us; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Benediction (Numbers 6:24-25, sung)
P: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace,
in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: (sung response below)
Sending Hymn “The First Noel” (vs. 1-2) ELW 300
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
C: Thanks be to God!
Postlude
Service words & music reproduced and streamed under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SBL-14744.
Other hymns streamed under OneLicense #A-715015.
